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1989 Ford TempoProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 124 owner complaints about the 1989 Ford Tempo, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 1 safety recall.

52
CarFlaw IndexSolid year8% below the Tempo median · #6 of 11 years by complaints
Safety recalls1Free fix at dealersOwner complaints12431 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage99kElectrical system, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through May 12, 2014. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1989 Ford Tempo has problems

124 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Electrical system3313
Engine and engine cooling268
Seat belts201
Exterior lighting160
Service brakes, hydraulic160
Vehicle speed control82
Steering81
Structure50
Power train51
6 other systems102

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

1 recall

1989 Ford Tempo recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Electrical system: ignition

Recall 96V-071 · Apr 25, 1996 · 7,900,000 vehicles

Risk. THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE OVERHEATING, SMOKE, AND POSSIBLY FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN AREA OF THE VEHICLE.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Ford.

Best & worst years

1989 vs. every other Tempo year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Tempo median. How we score

'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
4 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1989 Ford Tempo, and the recalls they led to.

  1. REAR BRAKE SYSTEM FAILUREDP96002 · closed Jan 19, 1996
    No recall
  2. FAILED PASSIVE RESTRAINTEA90008 · closed Dec 31, 1991
    No recall
  3. SEAT BELT SEPARATIONEA91052 · closed Nov 24, 1992
    No recall
  4. REAR BRK ADJUSTER FAILUREPE96005 · closed May 28, 1996
    No recall
In owners' words

What Tempo owners report

Recent electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

AUTOMOBILE CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE PARKING LOT WHILE I WAS WORKING. TWO POLICE OFFICERS HEARD THE IGNITION CLICKING, BUT COULDN'T SEE A CAR WITH AN INDIVIDUAL IN IT. SHORTLY AFTER THE CAR WAS IN FLAMES. INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE AFTER THE FIRE SHOWS THAT THE FIRE APPEARED TO HAVE STARTED IN THE…
Complaint 10093168 · Sep 27, 2004
SINCE 2000, MY 1989 FORD TEMPO HAD BROKEN DOWN FOUR TIMES, TWICE IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. EACH TIME, I HAVE BEEN TOLD THE PROBLEM WAS WITH THE ALTERNATOR, AND I HAD IT REPLACED. NOW, IN APRIL OF 2003, THE ALTERNATOR IS ABOUT TO DIE YET AGAIN. MY CAR HAS 99,000 MILES AND IS DRIVEN LESS THAN 10,000 MILES…
Complaint 10013933 · Apr 3, 2003 · 99,000 miles
PURCHASE CAR USED HAD TO REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP THREE TIMES AND REPLACED MOTOR MOUNT ONE TIME AND REPLACED THE STARTER TWO TIMES. TT TFI REPLACED. TP SENSOR REPLACED. EGR VALVE REPLACED. INNER TIE ROD END REPLACED. *SLC
Complaint 973969 · Oct 26, 1995

Own a 1989 Tempo?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.